Anthem
Anthem

Game Modes Overview

Navigate Anthem's game modes, from Story Missions to endgame challenges. Gain actionable strategies to maximize progression and master your Javelin in Bastion.

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Game Modes Overview

Welcome, Freelancer! Understanding the various game modes in Anthem is crucial for maximizing your progression, acquiring powerful gear, and experiencing the full breadth of Bastion. This detailed guide will walk you through each mode, offering actionable strategies and insights.

Story Missions

Story Missions are the backbone of Anthem's narrative, guiding you through the unfolding saga of Bastion. These missions are essential for unlocking new areas, Javelins, and progressing the main plot.

  • Progression: Complete these missions sequentially to advance the main storyline. Each completed mission contributes to your overall pilot level and unlocks further content.
  • Rewards: Expect a steady stream of experience points (XP), crafting materials, and occasional gear drops. Specific story missions often reward you with new Javelin blueprints or access to new vendors in Fort Tarsis.
  • Strategy:
    • Team Composition: While many early missions can be soloed, later stages benefit greatly from a balanced team. Consider bringing a Colossus for tanking, an Interceptor for quick objective completion, a Storm for elemental damage, and a Ranger for balanced utility.
    • Objective Focus: Pay close attention to mission objectives, which are clearly marked on your HUD. Don't get sidetracked by every enemy encounter if the objective is to reach a specific location or activate a relic.
    • Gear Check: Before embarking on a new story mission, especially after a few levels, visit the Forge in Fort Tarsis to ensure your Javelin's gear score is appropriate for the recommended difficulty. Upgrade components and weapons as needed.

Freeplay

Freeplay is Anthem's open-world exploration mode, allowing you to roam the vast and beautiful landscapes of Bastion at your leisure. It's an excellent way to gather resources, complete World Events, and simply enjoy the freedom of flight.

  • Exploration & Resources:
    • Harvesting: Look for glowing nodes of plants and minerals. These provide crafting materials like Chimeric Compound, Iridium, and various Embers. Equip harvesting components on your Javelin for increased yields.
    • Chests: Keep an eye out for hidden chests scattered across the map. These often contain gear, crafting materials, and sometimes even rare Embers.
  • World Events: Dynamic events pop up randomly throughout Freeplay. These are short, engaging encounters that often involve defending a location, defeating waves of enemies, or activating ancient relics.
    • Rewards: Successfully completing World Events grants XP, reputation with factions, and a chance at higher-tier gear drops.
    • Strategy: World Events are often indicated by a purple icon on your compass. Head towards them and join other Freelancers or tackle them solo if you feel confident. Prioritize elite enemies and objective targets.
  • Legendary Encounters: Occasionally, you'll stumble upon powerful Legendary enemies or unique encounters that offer significantly better rewards. These are often challenging and best approached with a squad.

Strongholds

Strongholds are Anthem's equivalent of dungeons or raids – challenging, multi-stage activities designed for a coordinated four-player squad. They are the primary source of high-level gear and a crucial part of the endgame loop.

  • Availability: Strongholds unlock as you progress through the main story. The first Stronghold, "Tyrant Mine," becomes available relatively early.
  • Difficulty & Rewards: Strongholds can be played on various difficulty settings, from Easy to Grandmaster 3. Higher difficulties yield significantly better loot, including Masterwork and Legendary items.
  • Strategy:
    • Team Synergy: A well-balanced team is paramount. Ensure you have a good mix of damage, crowd control, and support. For example, a Storm for elemental priming, an Interceptor for rapid combo detonations, a Colossus for area denial, and a Ranger for precision damage.
    • Communication: Use voice chat or the in-game communication wheel to coordinate attacks, revive downed teammates, and call out enemy positions.
    • Objective Awareness: Strongholds have distinct stages, each with specific objectives. These often involve clearing rooms, defending points, or defeating mini-bosses. Understand the objective to avoid unnecessary engagements.
    • Boss Fights: Each Stronghold culminates in a challenging boss encounter. Learn their attack patterns, weak points, and environmental hazards. For instance, the Swarm Tyrant in Tyrant Mine is vulnerable after its acid attacks. Focus fire on its exposed abdomen.
    • Loot Management: Strongholds drop a lot of loot. Remember to pick up all items, as even lower-rarity gear can be salvaged for crafting materials or used for inscription rerolls.

Contracts

Contracts are repeatable missions offered by the various factions in Fort Tarsis: the Sentinels, Arcanists, and Freelancers. Completing contracts helps you build reputation with these factions, unlocking new blueprints and items from their respective vendors.

  • Types of Contracts:
    • Standard Contracts: These are straightforward missions involving combat, retrieval, or escort objectives. They offer a good source of XP and faction reputation.
    • Legendary Contracts: Unlocked after reaching a certain reputation level with a faction, Legendary Contracts are more challenging versions of standard contracts. They often feature tougher enemies, unique modifiers, and guarantee a Masterwork item upon completion.
  • Strategy:
    • Faction Focus: If you're aiming for specific blueprints, focus on completing contracts for that particular faction. Check the vendor in Fort Tarsis to see what items are available at higher reputation tiers.
    • Difficulty Scaling: Like Strongholds, contracts can be played on various difficulties. Tackle Legendary Contracts on Grandmaster difficulties for the best chance at top-tier loot.
    • Efficient Runs: Contracts are generally shorter than Strongholds, making them ideal for quick farming sessions. Pair up with friends or use matchmaking to complete them efficiently.

By understanding and engaging with each of these game modes, you'll be well on your way to becoming a formidable Freelancer in Anthem. Good luck, and happy hunting!